Meta’s latest round of job cuts, affecting 3,600 employees globally, has impacted staff in Nigeria and other African offices.
The layoffs, announced in an internal memo, exempt workers in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands while employees in Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe are expected to receive termination notices between February 11 and 18, 2025.
Meta spokesperson for sub-Saharan Africa described the cuts as routine performance-based layoffs, declining to specify the number of affected African employees. The company insisted that the decision followed a rigorous performance review cycle aimed at maintaining high standards.
Affected employees will receive severance benefits, including 16 weeks of base pay, an additional two weeks per year of service, payment for unused paid leave, six months of healthcare, three months of career support, and immigration assistance. The package aligns with Meta’s commitment to offering fair compensation.
The job cuts come as Meta shifts its focus toward artificial intelligence, aligning with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s declaration of 2024 as the “year of efficiency.” The company is reallocating resources to automation and AI-driven initiatives to streamline operations and cut costs in non-priority areas.
Meta has earmarked between $60 billion and $65 billion for capital expenditures in 2025, with major investment in AI infrastructure, data centers, and specialized chips. While the company frames the layoffs as part of routine efficiency measures, affected employees in Africa and beyond now face uncertainty amid the evolving tech landscape.